San Francisco to Tierra Del Fuego leaving Nov 2010 (Nissan Xterra)

[coydogsf]

Hey All,

My fiance (wife by then) and I are planning to leave in early November to drive south from San Francisco towards Tierra del Fuego in a 2004 Nissan Xterra we've been outfitting for the trip. I believe it was in the venerable Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide that I saw it written that to do a trip like this, it's best if you're the kind of person who enjoys the year of preparation as much as you'll enjoy the year of travel. Let's face it, I'm a geek and love making lists finding the best tool for this and that and overthinking everything until I tire myself out and go with a nice, simple solution. Ann's got an interest in everything and a hunger to explore the world. She's also up for anything including riding on the back of a big adventure motorcycle on 13,000 ft rocky Colorado passes (no, that's not her in the picture on the first post, smart ***). Anyway, we've been been having a good time documenting our preparation and a couple "shakedown trips" on our web site at http://adventuresofdaveandann.com/ or ADVODNA.

As our departure date approaches, we're starting to look south and the route we might take. We're thinking we'll try to plan about a month in advance. "Plan's" the wrong word for Mexico and Central America, perhaps. Let's say "target a region." And right now, we're taking a good look at how to experience Mexico safely. The current thought is to bypass Copper Canyon (sadly) and follow the main RV route along the west coast of the mainland (not Baja) using the Church and Church Mexico Camping book. Our feeling is that if we emply common sense (vigilence, no night driving, and "sorry, no fumar espanol" when asked for bribes), we won't have any problems.

So with that, any last minute advice? Anyone else heading out around the same time we should be on the lookout for? Places that shouldn't be missed along the way? Volunteer projects that could use some attention or hard labor?

Thanks and happy travels.

Dave and Ann

[mattafact]

Sounds like a cool trip.

Do they sell XTerras down there in case you need to get parts and/or service?

[coydogsf]

Sounds like a cool trip.

Do they sell XTerras down there in case you need to get parts and/or service?

I thought I read somewhere that they are actually assembled in Mexico?! Anyway, my research seemed to show that both Toyotas and Nissans are quite popular south of the border and that getting parts (if needed) shouldn't be too hard. I know we saw LOTS of Xterras with Mexico plates on a recent trip to Baja.

Thanks for the response.

Dave

[haven]

The XTerra is a North American model. The 2004 XTerra is based on the Frontier pickup of the same year. That pickup was sold in most countries in Central and South America. The local Nissan distributor won't stock parts used exclusively on a model sold in USA, but the Frontier and XTerra have many parts in common.

The Nissan corporate web site says the company's vehicles are sold in the following countries in the Western Hemisphere

North America -- Canada, Mexico USA

Central America -- El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

South America -- Argentina, Brasil (Nissan factory located here), Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela

[roninjiro]

definitely keep this thread or your website updated. I want to see how your vehicle choice holds up (my vehicle of choice also). What is the general cost you have forecasted for your travels?

[coydogsf]

definitely keep this thread or your website updated. I want to see how your vehicle choice holds up (my vehicle of choice also). What is the general cost you have forecasted for your travels?

I will definitely keep the ExPo up to date and report on the Xterra. I really feel like it's going to be a great truck for the trip. Capable when we need it, well sized and comfortable for day to day, and reliable. Time will tell. We've all seen stories of $50k trucks failing, $500 beaters making it, and the breakdowns opening doors to new people and oportunities!

[Also just posted in the logistics section on the web site since it's a good question]

The goal is to take this trip AND maintain our life at home for about the same amount as being at home would cost. That means we rent the house to cover the mortgage and the money we would have spent on things like satellite TV, electric and other utilities, car/motorcycle insurance, etc goes towards our life on the road. Food evens out since you gotta eat wherever you are. Cost of the vehicle and equipment are things we would have spent anyway on a second car and camping equipment. Shipping, border and increased gas costs are balanced by the generally lower cost of living and decreased random day-to-day spending on anything from lattes at Starbucks to that 1949 Martin D-18 I seem to think I can’t live without.

In reality, this goal may or may not be realistic but the approach we’ll take is to save money when we can by shopping around, camping and doing work programs so that we can splurge on occasion with a nice hotel or more costly adventure (or bribe to get through the Honduras border in less than nine hours – sorry, Luis)

Yeah, yeah, I know you want numbers. Nicolas Rapp, Transworld Expedition, estimated his one year trip around the world would cost about $50K and after 9 months or so, he’s just about on target. Interestingly, this comes to $1 a mile. Depending on where you look (and the season and which bridges are out etc), the PanAmerican Highway from San Francisco to Tierra de Fuego is probably about 10,000-15,000 miles. My guess is that it’ll cost us more like $2 a mile for a total on the road cost of $30K for 6-9 months.

This is good, I'm realizing some things I want to solidify before our seminar on "Getting Gone" at the Overland Rally in Hollister this weekend!

Dave

[TheStig]

Looks like the trip of a lifetime! Keep us posted and be careful.

Nice choice on the Xterra. I really like those 1st gens.
Sent from my MB200 using Tapatalk

[Christian P.]

Looks like they just got married! Update please...

[coydogsf]

Looks like they just got married! Update please...

You're such a romantic, Christian!

Yes, it's true, we got married a couple weeks ago in Tahoe and that would have to be considered part of the adventure. We're feeling more ready than ever for 6 months+ on the road together.







Okay, those are some of the outtakes. A mini album on the blog. Great event along the Truckee River with all of our family and friends, great weather, food and music. Pretty much the perfect send off except for all the (well-meaning but generally uninformed) warnings about travelling in Mexico and beyond.

Last week, we got really excited to be on the road after a drinks and dinner with James and Lauren, another couple from San Francisco, who contacted us through the ExPo and are planning a PanAm trip in 6 months or so. We ran them through all our prep and swapped favorite blogs and ExPo posts. A good time and fun to meet other members of the community. We're hoping to meet lots more along the way.

Dave

[coydogsf]

BTW, Most recent departure date is 11/10/2010 with plans to drive up through Tahoe, down the East Side for a hot springs stop near Bishop, maybe a night in Joshua Tree and one just north of the border in Arizona. Cross at Nogales or Lukeville-Sonoyta and drive south towards Bahia Kino and San Carlos.

At Los Mochis we'll decide whether to drive up into the Copper Canyon or play it a little safer and take two or three days on the train to Creel and back. Might be nice to let someone else do some driving by then. Anyone hear anything current on safety in Copper Cayon?

After Copper Canyon, we'll head towards San Pancho and Sayulita just north of Puetro Vallarta where we'll meet a couple groups of expat friends hopefully in time for Thanksgiving. By then, we'll be halfway down Mexico but will slow down for longer visits to places like Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Teotihuacan, and Mexico City!

Dave